Originally Posted by
FrenchMerican
While the food in the lounge is out of this world for airport fare, I find the menus onboard sparse in general in terms of variety, and the quality of catering ex-CDG is surprisingly average, (it seems consistently higher ex-JFK, except for the cheese.) Don't get me wrong....it's a solid offering, decent quality and plenty of food.....but it doesn't quite live up to the rest of the experience. More choice would be welcome.
Try flying to or from Japan.
The wine quality is very good, though back in my heavy drinking days I would have been a little irritated at Bombay Sapphire in this setting. And being a French airline, please load a good vintage Calvados for heaven's sake!
I expect you can find a good Armagnac on any AF flight, even if you don't see it on the menu. Perhaps they would have to go back to business class to grab a bottle, but it should be there somewhere on the plane.
The arrivals experience at JFK is probably the best offered by any airline in the USA. They are brilliant, and seem to have the run of the airport.
Have you tried IAD? AF is pretty good there too for arrivals.
Unfortunately, the departure and connection experiences inbound let them down badly. A tarmac transfer coordinated with Delta if necessary when connecting on the same itinerary should be standard. The check-in and escort are well done, however.
I agree, but I expect that AF is prevented from doing an inter-terminal tarmac transfer due to JFK overcrowding. What they could do is meet you at your DL arrival gate and provide an escort. At least that would work if there are only one or two transfers happening at a time. If there happened to be more that would require a significant outstation staff increase. And it seems that they want French nationals performing the escort service. So that further restricts hiring.
That said, the lowest point of the entire experience is the JFK lounge. It's a hole; even the odd and tiny private F area. The catering is good, though not special in any way. Unfortunately it is let down badly by poorly trained service staff who speak little English and no French. Unlike the polish at CDG, this is low-end American diner service. It's not a nice way to start the journey home, and surprising that standards are so low for their premiere outstation. The lounge itself is not inviting, and the F area feels like a kids playroom, not a first class lounge.
I agree that there is no wow factor in the JFK P lounge. But when I was there the staff spoke perfect English and the service was fine. And as you say the food is good. I'm just there to have a meal before sleeping on the flight to Paris.
Finally, the menus ex-JFK, though of a high quality, are again extremely limited.
There are only 4 seats on most of these flights so I guess that's why. And for the late flights most people don't want to eat on the plane. It's best to try and sleep as much as possible.
As you say, criticism is good. Especially when you acknowledge the good.